The internet can be a wonderful, joy-filled, treasure trove of amazement.
But it can also be a dirge of sadness, anxiety, and general ennui.
In these hilarious comics, Sara Zimmerman of Unearthed Comics gives some insight into the pains, joys, and anxiety that we’ve all experienced online.
Science fiction writer William Gibson wrote in a prescient story for the New York Times way back in 1996: “As new technologies search out and lace over every interstice in the net of global communication, we find ourselves with increasingly less excuse for ... slack."
We share ourselves online in the hopes of being liked, but we are all terrified of being judged and being disliked, and it's hard to cut ourselves and the world some slack.
The internet allows us to connect with friends and family around the globe, watch the latest adorable video of a bulldog riding a skateboard, or ignore the endless pileup of emails in our inboxes.
That's why Zimmerman poignantly uses “The Eye of Sauron” as a metaphor for our anxiety over sharing some photos on Facebook. Because we’ve all had that nagging desire to have power over how many people like our post.
So here are some refreshing comics to give you some perspective on our love/hate relationship with the internet:
1. Love may be one thing we can count on to protect us.
All images by Sara Zimmerman/Unearthed Comics.
2. Being ahead of the game is important.
3. And knowing what works best is a good start.
4. Compassion is key for an enjoyable ride.
5. The simple things don't always turn out the way you plan.
6. It's good to have some perspective.
7. Job descriptions can be flexible.
8. Being productive has different meanings.
9. Time management can get complicated on the web.
These comics are a reminder of how silly the internet really is.
As of June 2016, Facebook reported having over 1.13 billion daily active users. That's a lot of people using just Facebook, let alone the rest of the internet. As technology becomes more ubiquitous around the globe we all grow a little closer but also share in the frustrations that digital communication holds.
So in light of everything the internet offers us, I think we should cut ourselves a little slack when it comes to our relationship with it.